Chairman Gallelli stated that the change of use being proposed at 119 Grand Street is from a hair salon to office space. Leonard Amicola’s tenant, Burton Grusky, wishes to move his accountant office to this location.

Chairman Gallelli opened the public hearing. There was no one present from the public to comment on this application. Chairman Gallelli closed the public hearing.

Chairman Gallelli asked the Planning Board members if they had any comments.

Chairman Gallelli referred to the Applicant’s sign proposal, stating that the Applicant proposes to have the white lettering painted directly onto the clear glass of the front window. The Advisory Board for the Visual Environment (VEB) has not yet had an opportunity to review this sign application. Chairman Gallelli suggested that the Planning Board could approve this application with the condition that the proposed sign be reviewed by the VEB prior to installation.

Chairman Gallelli reiterated that Mr. Grusky would have to wait until the VEB has had an opportunity to look at this proposal before he could have the sign work done.

Mr. Brumleve told Mr. Grusky that the VEB would be interested in the dimensions of the lettering on the pane of glass. Mr. Brumleve referred to the sign application submitted and stated that it appears that the dimensions given are for the pane of glass itself. The VEB is going to be interested in the actual lettering area.

Chairman Gallelli asked the Planning Board if there were any further comments, to which there were none.

Chairman Gallelli read aloud the draft resolution. The following condition was added:

The proposed sign shall be reviewed by the VEB and the Village Engineer for compliance prior to installation.

The Village Engineer brought up the matter of waiving the off-street parking requirements. Chairman Gallelli suggested that a “whereas” clause should be added to the resolution. The “whereas” clause should include a reference to the proper section of the Village Code. She suggested the following wording: “Whereas, the Planning Board waives the off-street parking requirements as permitted under Section (to be filled in) of the Village Code.”

Chairman Gallelli entertained a motion to approve this change of use application subject to the aforementioned condition. The motion to approve was made by Mr. Burniston, seconded by Mr. Klein and carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

3. NEW BUSINESS:

Lead Agency Designation for Opening of Southern Access 2-way Road and Bicycle/Walkway between Croton Point Park and Discovery Cove

Chairman Gallelli stated that the Village Board has submitted to the Planning Board a Notification of Designation of Lead Agency for the opening of the southern access 2-way road at Discovery Cove. The Village Board would be the Lead Agency for this project. The Planning Board had no objection to the Village Board acting as the Lead Agency.

4. OTHER BUSINESS:

The Village Engineer updated the Planning Board on the most recent discussions that have taken place with Mr. DeSantis on the use of his property for piping related to the Village’s planned downstream drainage improvements. Mr. DeSantis has requested that a connection to his catch basin not be made and that a new piping system be installed in the rear of his property. The Village Engineer described Mr. DeSantis’ proposal. He wants the pipe to be 5’ to 6’ off the rear property line behind the cluster of bamboo trees. The pipe would continue past the island in the pond and discharge in front of the dam. There are eight large trees in this area, which are in bad shape. The area would have to be cleared of trees to install the piping. The Village Engineer
stated that Mr. DeSantis’ proposal might be difficult from a construction standpoint. In order to install a 30” pipe near the pond, the ground would have to be filled (in) and some small trees would have to be cut down. The Village Engineer noted that, from an environmental standpoint, a better (easier) way to install the pipe would be to put the pipe in front of the bamboo tree(s) and have it discharge into the area where the existing pipe is being discharged. The Village Engineer told the Board members that he would do a cost estimate on Mr. DeSantis’ new concept.

The Village Engineer stated that Mr. DeSantis’ route for the piping would not be as easy to carry out as the route originally proposed, and it would be more costly to the Village. The Planning Board members expressed their concern about reaching an agreement with Mr. Desantis on the emergency spillway connection. They were also concerned about an agreement to establish an easement over Mr. DeSantis’ driveway for access to the detention pond. The Planning Board asked the Village Engineer to discuss these matters, and any possible legal options that the Village might have, with the Village Attorney.

Chairman Gallelli reminded the Planning Board members that the next meeting would be on the fifth Tuesday of the month rather than the fourth Tuesday. The meeting date would be March 29th. Chairman Gallelli stated that she expects the Croton Housing Network to be at that meeting to update the Planning Board on the Symphony Knoll project and the Mt. Airy Woods Amended Site Plan.

Chairman Gallelli stated that the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Donald Sapir, has contacted her regarding the Symphony Knoll project. The ZBA would like to have a joint meeting with the Planning Board regarding this project. The Croton Housing Network has been before the ZBA to obtain variances for the height and number of stories of the new building. CHN is scheduled to go back before the ZBA in April. The ZBA would like to meet with the Planning Board before the April meeting. Chairman Gallelli told the Board members that she had suggested to Mr. Sapir that the joint meeting could take place on March 22nd; however, it might be a more efficient use of time to invite the ZBA to the Planning Board meeting scheduled for March 29th.
She would contact Mr. Sapir to see if the joint meeting date could be changed to the 29th.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The minutes of the Tuesday, January 4, 2005 Planning Board meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Burniston, seconded by Mr. Klein and carried by a vote of 3 to 0. Ms. Allen and Mr. Brumleve abstained.

The minutes of the Tuesday, January 25, 2005 Planning Board meeting were approved, as amended, on a motion by Mr. Brumleve, seconded by Ms. Allen and carried by a vote of 4 to 0. Mr. Burniston abstained.

The minutes of the Tuesday, February 1, 2005 Planning Board meeting were approved, as amended, on a motion by Mr. Klein, seconded by Ms. Allen and carried by a vote of 3 to 0. Messrs. Brumleve and Burniston abstained.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Sincerely,

Sylvia Mills,

SECRETARY

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Planning Board held a public hearing on a Change of Use application on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 and continued the public hearing to Tuesday, March 1, 2005, for Burton Grusky, C.P.A., hereafter known as “the Applicant,” said property owned by Leonard Amicola and located at 119 Grand Street. The property is in the C-1 Zoning District and designated on the Tax Map of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson as Section 67.20 Block 3 Lot 24 (formerly #38 225 6A); and

WHEREAS, the proposed Change of Use is from a beauty salon to a C.P.A. office; and

WHEREAS, under the requirements of Local Law 7 of 1977, the Planning Board has determined that there will be no adverse impacts resulting from the proposed application that cannot be properly mitigated; and

WHEREAS, as permitted under Section 230-35 of the Village Code, the Planning Board waived the off-street parking requirements as part of its approval of this application.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Change of Use application, as shown on application materials submitted to the Planning Board on January 13, 2005 and a sign application submitted on February 16, 2005, respectively, be approved subject to the following conditions:

that the proposed sign be reviewed by the VEB and the Village Engineer for compliance prior to installation.

In the event that this Change of Use is not implemented within three (3) years of this date, this approval shall expire.

The Planning Board of the Village of

Croton-on-Hudson, New York

Ann H. Gallelli, Chairperson

Fran Allen

Ted Brumleve

Tom Burniston

Joel Klein

Motion to approve by Tom Burniston, seconded by Joel Klein and carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Resolution accepted with the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, March 1, 2005.